Adding flowers that bloom later in the season provides resources to pollinators into the fall. As they prepare for migration or overwintering, this is a critical season to ensure they have the required resources. Native plants are an excellent way to ensure that the blooms have the necessary pollen and nectar available at the right time.
Asters
Asters have cheery yellow centers with finely textured ray petals that bloom in various colors throughout fall. New England asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) have lovely deep purple or pink flowers for a burst of color in garden beds. Sky blue aster (Symphyotrichum oolentangiense), aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), and smooth blue aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) produce blue to lavender flowers throughout the fall that last into November. Short’s aster (Symphyotrichum shortii) and white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata) have light-colored flowers to contrast with the darker colors of fall. Most Illinois native asters can tolerate partial shade, adding floral resources even in places with limited sunlight.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is a beautiful fall bloomer that provides quality resources for pollinators. While it often gets blamed for allergies, it’s ragweed that contributes to the airborne pollen which triggers hay fever in the fall. Showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) has bright yellow blooms on a red stem and is a slower spreader than other solidago species. The yellow goldenrod blooming with the purple of the New England aster provides a visually appealing contrast of color.
Goldenrod is one of the keystone perennial plants in Central Illinois. It provides resources for pollinators throughout their lifecycle. Over 50 species of butterflies and moths can use goldenrod as a host plant.
Pink in the fall garden
When we think of the color of fall flowers, reds, golds, and oranges come to mind. Lavender and pink flowers are more unusual at this time of the year. Rough blazing star (Liatris aspera), obedient plant(Physostegia virginiana), and rose turtlehead(Chelone obliqua) add a unique splash of color to the garden in late summer to fall. Having a variety of colors, flower shapes, and bloom time ensures that resources are available to many pollinator species.
Native grasses
In the fall, native grasses can become a focal feature of any garden. Their wispy seedheads and beautiful fall colors add a different texture to the garden. Native grasses provide nutritious seeds for migrating birds. They also provide shelter and overwintering sites for pollinators. Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and prairie dropseed(Sporobolus heterolepis) are native grasses that fit nicely into a home landscape and add interest late in the season.
Fall bloomers add beauty to the garden as we move into winter and provide important pollen and nectar resources for pollinators who are preparing for colder temperatures. Explore more about native plants and the pollinators they support at the Illinois Pollinator website.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Nicole Flowers-Kimmerle is a Agriculture and Natural Resources (Horticulture) Educator for Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties. She completed a bachelors of science degree in crop science at the University of Illinois, and a master’s of science degree in agronomy with an emphasis in weed science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has also worked at Montana State University as a research associate where she worked on weed control in sugar beets and barley. She taught high school chemistry and other science classes where she was able to teach students in both the school garden and greenhouse. She works with both the Extension Master Gardeners and Extension Master Naturalists.
ABOUT THE BLOG
ILRiverHort is a blog that helps people connect to nature and grow.